Adjustably mounted applicator and work-back-up therewith



Oct. 11, 1966 J. B. RODMAN ADJUS TABLY MOUNTED APFLICATOR AND WORK-BACK-UP THEREWITH Original Filed Aug. 26. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet l W wmw g Q wmw www \mww QNN INVENTOR. JAME$ B. ROD/MN flfim 147 TOE/YE Y5 J. B. RODMAN Oct. 11, 1966 ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED APPLICATOR AND WORK-BACK-UP THEREWITH 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Aug. 26, 1960 INVENTUR. J/I/VES' AQDVA/Y fix-gm Oct. 11, 1966 J. B. RODMAN 3,277,862

ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED APPLIGATOR AND WORK-BACK-UP THEREWITH Original Filed Aug. 26, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. JAMES H ROD/7AA Oct. 11, 1966 J. B. RODMAN 3,277,862

ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED APPLICATOR AND WORK-BACK-UP THEREWITH Original Filed Aug. 26, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 fig Z INVENTOR.

J4M B ROD/7,40

uzzm ATTORNEYS J. B. RODMAN Oct. 11, 1966 ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED APPLICATOR AND WORK-BACK-UP THEREWITH Original Filed Aug. 26, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. JAMES E FODM/I/Y Kylie-5Z4 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,277,862 ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED APPLICATOR AND WORK-BACK-UP THEREWITH James B. Rodman, Burlington, N.J., assignor to Weyerhaeuser Company, Tacoma, Wash, a corporation of Washington Original application Aug. 26, 1960, Ser. No. 52,287, now Patent No. 3,183,639, dated May 18, 1965. Divided and this application Dec. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 337,511

7 Claims. (Cl. 1182) This application is a division of application Serial No. 52,287, filed August 26, 1960, now United States Patent No. 3,183,639.

This invention relates to an improved mechanism for applying glue to sheet material such as the flaps of a container.

It is an object of this invention to provide an adhesive applicator apparatus having a glue applicator and a flap backing guide roll and in which the glue applicator is movable selectively toward and away from the guide roll so that a flap may enter freely between the applicator and roll and for moving the applicator and roll relatively toward each other so that they both engage the flap traveling between them so that the applicator coats the side of the flap confronting it.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a carton in the condition which it has after having been telescoped at a preliminary folding section over an article to be packaged;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of an illustrative embodiment of packaging apparatus made in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view in plan of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in end elevation of the' glue applicator;

FIG. 5 is a view partially in vertical section and partially in side elevation through the glue applicator of FIG. 4, the flap-backing pressure roll employed with the applicator being shown fragmentarily in end elevation;

FIG. 6 is a view in horizontal section through the glue applicator and its operating mechanism, the section being taken 'along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view in vertical section through one of the glue-dispensing nozzle and valve means of the glue applicator of FIGS. 4, 5, and 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic line diagram of the air and glue lines for the illustrative embodiment of packaging apparatus.

There are problems which are particularly encountered in plants which produce articles of different sizes and shapes, such articles being delivered to the packaging department in intermixed condition. The apparatus of the invention, in preferred embodiments thereof, provides apparatus wherein the gluing elements are mounted for vertical adjustment, whereby to cooperate with cartons having different heights extending throughout an appreciable range. In preferred embodiments of the apparatus, such elements are automatically adjusted by a carton height-sensing means, so that the apparatus automatically adapts itself to the processing of cartons of different heights within its operative range.

Before describing the apparatus of the invention, first generally, and then in detail, it will be well to describe a carton such as that processed by the apparatus, and typical articles to be packaged therein. In FIG. 1 there is shown a paperboard carton 10 in open, unfilled condition, in much the same condition which it has after it has been first applied to the article. The apparatus of the invention is designed to process containers having dimensions lying within appreciable ranges of length, height, and width.

The apparatus of the present invention applies glue or other suitable adhesive to the outer, lower, and upper side flaps 19 and 24, respectively, and the inner, lower, and upper side flaps 20 and 25, respectively.

The carton, having an article disposed therewithin, travels sequentially to sections or stations 29, 30, 31, and 32. At section 29 the upper side flaps of the carton are erected. At section 30 the height of the carton is sensed by suitable mechanism. Such mechanism controls means for adjusting the vertical position of the elements of the apparatus which (1) at station 31 coopcrate with the upper flaps of the carton to fold the leading and trailing upper end flaps of the carton, and (2) at station 32 apply glue to the confronting surfaces of the upper side flaps which are to be the inner surfaces thereof. At the latter station, corresponding means are provided for treating the bottom side flaps of the carton.

The article and its encasing carton, which is forwarded by power into and through the apparatus, itself determines the sequencing of subsequent operations thereon and determines the height to which the glue applicators operating upon the upper flaps of the carton are adjusted.

The apparatus includes an opposed chain type conveyor which longitudinally overlaps to an appreciable extent the conveyor 27, so that the chain type conveyor receives packaged products delivered thereto from the roller type conveyor 27. The chain type conveyor has opposed lugs 137 moving in synchronism to engage the rear edge of the packaged article. After the article has been thus engaged by the lugs, it is moved off the rear portion of the roller conveyor 27 onto a further conveyor having a bottom central skid and side guiding rollers 159, as shown.

The two sides of the chain type conveyor are identical. Each side has two vertically spaced rear sprockets 135. Parallel chains 136 are entrained about the respective sprockets 135, the chains mounting between them one or more (two shown) transverse carton-propelling arm 139 which are provided with angularly rearwardly extending braces 140. The forward ends of chains 136 are entrained about vertically spaced driving sprockets (not shown). The motor which drives conveyor chains 136 is started by the tripping of switch 401 by the packaged article as it travels along conveyor 27.

The packaged article, now propelled by arms 139 of the opposed chains 136, is at first supported at the exit end of roller conveyor 27 upon the above mounted idle rolls 154 and later upon a longitudinal center skid member 155. In order to center the packaged article and to hold it upright, particularly when it is supported upon skid member 155, there are provided opposed laterally adjustable side guiding members or rails 156. The entering ends of guide rails 156 are curved or flared, as shown, whereby to lead the packaged article within the guide rails and to center it therebetween. Guide rails 156 support a plurality of closely longitudinally spaced guide rolls 159 journalled thereon on vertical axes. Each of guide rails 156 is mounted for adjustment parallel to its end toward and away from the longitudinal central line of the apparatus whereby the two rails simultaneously move equal distances in opposite directions, so as to maintain the packaged article in centered position as it travels 3 through the second section. This can be done automatically by a carton width sensing mechanism, similar to the carton height scanning mechanism shown at 30, that controls the adjustment of the rails.

As the carton enters the apparatus, the trailing and leading inner flaps 16 and 17, respectively, will have been folded horizontally beneath the article. The bottom side flaps 19 and 20 are spread laterally outwardly, as shown in FIG. 1, and the upper side flaps preferably initially occupy the down-folded positions shown in FIG. 1. The forward and trailing upper flaps 21 and 22 are in a somewhat inwardly inclined position, past the verticle as shown in dotted lines in connection with the carton which is shown in FIG. 2.

The carton scanning mechanism At station 29 the first section of the apparatus of the invention is provided on each side thereof with generally parallel plate-like structures which are supported, as shown, upon the respective rear columns 125. At the rear end of each such plate-like structures there is provided a plow 171 designed to enter beneath the leading edge of the respective upper side flap 24, 25 and raise such flaps until they occupy the vertical position on each side of the flaps 21, 22 as they pass between the opposed parallel vertical plates 170.

Each of plates 170 is provided with a vertical slot 174 of appreciable length. Along the rear edge of slot 174 there is provided a vertical rod support 175 which is mounted upon the bracket 172 on column 125. Upon one of rods 175 there is mounted one or more (two shown) vertically adjustable light sources 176 which direct collimated beams of light transversely of the apparatus toward the slot in the other plate 170. Upon the rod 175 of said other plate is mounted an equal number (two shown) of vertically adjustable photoelectric cells 177, 178 which may be placed in alignment with the respective light sources 176. The photoelectric cells 177, 178 function to scan the height of the erected side flaps of the particular carton travelling therepast. Such cells act with vertically disposed limit switches to adjust a vertically adjustable carriage 180 whereby the glue applicator is correctly vertically positioned for the particular carton being processed.

Carriage 180 is provided with a rear-cross shaft 189 having pinions 191 thereon. Pinions 191 mesh with stationary vertical rack gears 195 on columns 126. A similar apparatus is provided on the front end of carriage 180. The rear shaft 189 and the front shaft are maintained in synchronism by a longitudinally extending chain 209 which extends between them and is entrained over sprocket 206 on shaft 189 and a similar sprocket on the front shaft. The thus described cross-shafts, pinions, and rack gears maintain the two opposite rear corners, and the two opposite forward corners, of the carriage at the same level as the carriage is adjusted vertically.

The carriage 180 is vertically adjusted as required by two fluid motors, disposed vertically centrally of the carriage at opposite ends thereof. The rear motor 196 is shown. The carriage is held stably in vertically adjusted position by means of two further fluid motors, likewise disposed centrally of the carriage adjacent the ends thereof the rear motor 210 is shown. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, vertical fluid motors 196 and 210 at the rear of the apparatus are supported on a horizontal platform 197 aifixed to cross members 199. The forward motors are similarly mounted. The manner of connection of such fluid motors to the fluid circuit of the apparatus will be more readily apparent upon consideration of FIG. 8 which shows the fluid control circuit for the apparatus. It will be suflicient here to describe the mechanical means whereby the motors adjust and hold carriage 180.

Carriage 180 is supported by the adjusting fluid motors such as 196 and is connected to them by means of threaded extensions at the rear and front of the carriage. Ex-

tension 186 is shown. The extensions are coupled to the piston rods of the adjusting fluid motors. The motors, connected to a source of fluid pressure through suitable reversing valves to be described, selectively drive the carriage downwardly or upwardly as desired.

Carriage is held in adjusted position by the rear and forward fluid motors such as 210. The piston rod 212 of motor 210 has an elongated screw 214 thereon which is adjustably threadedly engaged with a nut disposed on the longitudinal center line of the carriage 180 at the rear end thereof. The forward holding motor is similarly connected to the forward end of carriage 180. As will be more clearly apparent upon discussion of the control circuits for the apparatus, the holding motors function to hold carriage 180 securely in the required vertical position after it has been moved to such position by the adjusting motors.

The apparatus is provided wtih lower side flap folding means 218, positioned as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, whereby the bottom side fiaps 19 and 20 of the carton are folded down from the horizontal position into a vertical position. While in such vertical position, the inner surfaces of flaps 19 and 20 are coated with glue at the gluing station 32.

The first unit of the apparatus includes, at zone 31, means for folding the upper leading flap 21 and the upper trailing flap 22 downwardly into horizontal position. It will be assumed that the carriage 180 has been adjusted vertically to the correct position for the carton 10 then entering the first section. As the carton moves forwardly, its forward upper edge enters under the forwardly and downwardly inclined entering end 229 of a central holddown guide 230, the main extent which extends longitudinally centrally above the carton. The portions 229 and 230 of the hold-down function, respectively, to fold flap 21 downwardly to a horizontal position and to maintain it in such position during the forward travel of the car-ton.

The apparatus includes a further means for the folding downwardly of the trailing upper flap 22. Such mechanism includes a short centrally postioned horizontal shaft 219, and an arm 220 which projects radially from shaft 219, such arm carrying at its rear frame end an arcuately downwardly extending portion 221. Portion 221 carries a relatively short cross flap-engaging bar 222 on the lower end thereof. The lower end of the piston rod of air motor 225 carries a vertically depending rack gear 226 which meshes with a pinion 227 which is fast to shaft 219. It will be seen that when air motor 225 is actuated to raise its piston rod, the flap engaging bar 222 travels arcuately downwardly to lie at least vertically below shaft 219, and that when the air motor is operated in the reverse direction, the cross bar 222 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 2. The apparatus includes a switch 429 which is closed by the carton to impel the piston of motor 225 upwardly when the carton 10 has reached the correct position of travel so that bar 222 folds flap 22 horizontally downwardly. A relatively small further forward travel of carton 10 actuates a switch 430 whereby to lower the piston of motor 225 to restore bar 22 and its operating means to the position of FIG. 2. \By this time, the leading edge of flap 22 will have traveled well past the rear edge of the entering end 229 of the hold-down guide, so that both flaps 21 and 22 are firmly held downwardly in a horizontal position by the main portion 230 of the hold-down guide.

Glue applicators At station 32 of the apparatus there are located upper and lower glue applicators whereby to coat predetermined areas of the free edge of the confronting upper and lower flaps with glue. One of the two upper glue applicators is shown in FIG. 2 at 235. One of the two lower glue applicators is shown in such figure at 236. It is to be understood that the glue applicators on the respective sides of the machinne face in opposite directions, whereby to coat the laterally oppositely facing surfaces of the upper side flaps 24 and and the lower side flaps 19 and 20. The upper and lower glue applicators on the respective side of the apparatus are preferably mounted in alignment, as shown, and are mounted on supports which are connected by appropriate linkage so that the upper and lower glue applicators on the respective sides of the machine remain in vertical alginment with each other while the applicators on the two opposite sides of the machine are moved inwardly and outwardly equal amounts, as required, from the longitudinal center line of the apparatus.

Each of the glue applicators shown has a glue applicator body and a confronting parallel flap guiding and spacing means which, in the embodiment shown, is a vertically disposed guide roll, the roll for the upper applicator being designated 237 and the roll for the lower applicators being designated 239.

The upper and lower glue applicators at each side of the apparatus are supported upon and adjusted by two longitudinally extending horizontal plate members supported by spaced vertical rock shafts 240 and 241. The supports for the upper glue applicators, designated 242, are in each instance, supported from their respective rock shafts 240 and 241 by crank arms 244 extending from the rock shafts and pivotally connected to the respective supports 242 by pivot pins, as shown. The lower glue applicator 236 is supported in generally the same manner, there being a horizontally disposed supporting plate 245, to which the lower applicator is secured, which is supported upon rook shafts 240 and 241 through the medium of the crank arms 246 which are pivotally connected to the supporting plate 245. The rock shafts 240 and 241 on the respective sides of the apparatus are connected together to rotate synchronously in opposite directions as required to accommodate cartons of different widths, by crank arms and a connecting cross link (not shown) extending across the machine at the bottom thereof.

In the embodiment of apparatus shown, elements of the apparatus which cooperate with the upper and lower side flaps of the carton, and which center the carton per se, such as the glue applicators, are under the manual control of the operator who adjusts them as required in accordance with the width of the carton to be treated. It is to be understood that, within the scope of the present invention, such side flap treating elements may be made to be laterally adjusted automatically by carton width sensing mechanism controlling power operated lateral adjusting means. A suitable carton width sensing means may be, for example, a photoelectric scanning means such as that shown at 30, and above described, for sensing the height of the carton to be treated.

In FIGS. 47, inclusive, there is shown in detail the construction of an upper glue applicator 23-5. The lower glue applicators have substantially the same construction. Applicator 235 has a vertically disposed elongated body 24-7 which is adjustably mounted upon and depends from the above-described laterally adjustable plate 242. Body 247 has a forward cover plate 252, plate 252 having a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally extending transverse frusto-conical passages 250 therethrough, passages 25%) being centrally vertically disposed in a row and communicating with the longitudinal passage 239. The outer end 251 of each transverse passage 250 is somewhat smaller in diameter than the rear end. A horizontally reciprocable valve body 255, having a round ended forward frusto-conical nose portion 256 complementary to passage 250, is constantly urged into its outer, passage-closing position by a coil compression spring 257 which at its rear end is telescoped over a spring-holding pin 259 in body 247. The forward end of pin 259 slidingly extends Within an axial bore 253 in valve body 255, whereby the valve body is accurately maintained in alignment with the valve seat forming passage 250.

The flap-guiding and backing roll 237 is journalled to turn about a vertical axis in a bracket 258 secured to supporting plate 242 so as to confront the aligned vertical glue-dispensing orifices in body 247.. Roll 237 is adjusted laterally by adjustment of plate 242 so that the respective side flap of the carton 10 engages the roll tangentially as the flap passes by the roll. The rounded nose portion 256 of valve body 255 extends outwardly somewhat from cover plate 252, when the valve is closed, a distance which is at least slightly less than the thickness of the flap. Thus each of the orifices is closed and dispenses no glue when there is no sheet of material such as flap 17 travelling between such orifice on the applicator body 247 and the roll 237. To insure sealing of passages 250 by valve bodies 255, the nose portion of each valve body is provided with two 0 rings 263 disposed in grooves therein, as shown. When, however, applicator 235 is advanced to the position of FIG. 6, a flap 17 entering between the applicator and the roll actuates those valves which it confronts, whereby to cover the outer free edge of the flap with glue. The end valves, in this case the three upper ones shown in FIG. 5, which lie above the upper edge of flap 17, remain closed. It will thus be seen that the applicator of the invention acts automatically to sense the transverse extent of the flap to be coated and restricts the dispensing of glue to such transverse extent. The passage 239 of applicator body 247 is supplied with liquid glue under pressure through an L-shaped fitting 261 secured to the upper end of the bore, there being a glueconducting flexible conduit 262 connected to fitting 261, as shown. Conduit 262 is connected to a suitable source of liquid glue under pressure, designated generally by the reference characters 372, 374 in FIG. 8. The glue applicators are automatically moved away from the respective backing rolls when there is no carton approaching or passing through the glue applicator zone, and are moved into the position shown in FIG. 6 immediately in advance of the passage of a carton flap between the glue applicator and the backing roll. The manner of support of each of the glue applicators to permit such movement is shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.

As there shown, a vertical rod 268 is fixedly secured to supporting plate 24 2; rod 268 has an enlarged bottom end 273. Fixedly secured to rod 268 intermediate the length thereof is a sleeve 2-78 from which extend integral upper and lower L-shaped arms 283. Above and below sleeve 278 are hub members 288 which are free to rotate with respect to the rod. Parallel upper and lower arms 293 integrally attached to hub members 288 are attached at their outer ends to the body of applicator 235. Upper and lower toggle links 298, 303 are connected at their inner ends and are pivoted at their outer ends to arms 283 and arms 293. The parts are so proportioned and adjusted that the links 298 and 303 are disposed in a straight line when the glue applicator is in the operative position of FIG. 6.

A reciprocable fluid motor 377 is affixed to a lateral ex tension of sleeve 278. The piston rod 313 of motor 377 is attached at its outer end to a fitting 318 which is pivotally secured to the inner ends of links 298, 303. It will be apparent that when air under pressure is admitted to the left hand end of motor 377 (FIG. 6) piston rod 313 will be retracted and toggle 298, 303 collapsed to swing the glue applicator clockwise and thus away from its roll 237. When air under pressure is admitted to the right hand end of motor 377, the toggle will be straightened toward the position of FIG. 6, thereby swinging the glue applicator into its operative position. A suitable stop, not shown, is provided to position the applicator accurately in the position of FIG. 6. The motor 377 is actuated in timed sequence to the passage of a carton through the apparatus by control mechanism to be more fully discussed in connection with FIG. 8.

Forward motion of the carton through the glue applying stations 32 thus coats a desired predetermined area of the confronting faces of the side flaps with glue.

Air circuit, FIG. 8

The air circuit and the elements connected thereby are shown in FIG. 8. Such circuit has a main air supply line 360 which is connected to a source (not shown) of air under a pressure such as 85-90 pounds per square inch.

Branch pipes lead from main pipe 360 to the heads of folder cylinder 225 and the heads of the adjusting cylinders such as 196 which adjust the carriage 180 vertically. Cylinders 225 and 196, and the heads 362 and 364 thereof, respectively, are of similar construction, except that the length and diameter of cylinder 225 are somewhat less than those of the adjusting cylinders. Each of cylinders 225 and 196, in the embodiment shown, is of the type sold under the name Bellows Super Speed Air Motor sold by the Bellows Company, Akron, Ohio. Each of the heads 362 and 364 of such air motors includes built-in valve and solenoids, sold under the name- Belows Electroaire Valve, likewise sold by the Bellows Company. Such valve is powered by the operating air line pressure, the pressure being electrically controlled by two small solenoids which are sealed into the end caps of the motor. Such solenoids are each powered by three wires which are indicated in FIG. 8. The solenoids are under the control of low voltage circuits; energization of one solenoid causes the piston of the motor to travel in one direction, and energization of the other solenoid causes the piston to travel in the other direction. It will be seen that the solenoids in head 362 of air motor 225 are selectively operated first to cause the piston to rise, thereby causing bending arm 221 to swing downwardly, following which the piston of motor 225 descends, thereby retracting flap-folding arm 221 into its intial, raised position.

The adjusting motors such as 196 are of the same size and have the solenoidsin the operating heads 364 thereof connected in parallel to operate simultaneously in the same direction. When the carriage 180 is to be lowered, such solenoids are operated to admit air into the upper ends of motors, and to exhaust air from the lower ends thereof. When carriage 180 is to be raised the solenoids in the heads of the motors are operated to exhaust air from the upper ends of the motors and to introduce air under pressure into the lower ends of the motors.

The compressed air supplied by pipe 360 also serves as the source of power to control the carriage adjusting checking motors such as 210, which function to hold the carriage in the position to which it has been moved by the adjusting motors. The checking motors in the embodiment shown are of the type known as Bellows Hydro-Checks, made by the Bellows Company. The particular type of Hydro-Checks employed is that known as Model DCST50, which is provided with stop check controls which permit the stopping of the piston thereof at any point in its piston travel, holding it in its stopped position as long as desired, and then permitting it to continue. Each such device includes a pipe, designated 366 in the case of motor 210, which leads oil from one end of the main motor cylinder to the other. Interposed in such pipe is a fluid operated valve shown at 367 which, when closed, locks the piston of the cylinder in place, and, when open, allows the piston to move as required. Valve 367 under the control of three-way solenoid operated valve 369 which is supplied with air under pressure from pipe 360 through branch pipe 370. The solenoids of the valves of the checking motors (369) are connected in parallel. When energized the valves 369 allow air under pressure from supply pipe 370 to escape to the atmosphere as indicated at E, the valves (367) then being relieved of pressure and allowing oil to circulate through by-pass pipes (366). When the valves (369) are de-energized, valves (367) are subjected to pressure and closed to lock the check motors in position.

A branch pipe 371 from air pipe 360 also serves to supply air to two glue tanks 372 and 374, which supply glue under pressure to the upper glue applicator 235 and the lower glue applicator 234 respectively. Thus, branch pipe 371 is connected to the uper ends of the glue tanks through suitable pressure regulators at the top of each glue tank. Glue feeding pipes 375 and 376 lead to the upper and lower applicators. As we have seen, the glue applicators themselves incorporate a series of valves, which open only when connected by a flap to be coated. The glue applicators are supplied with glue under pressure at the proper time through solenoid operated valves 354 and 355 for the lower and upper glue applicators 234 and 235, respectively.

As we have seen above, each of the glue applicators is applied to a flap travelling therepast by means of a toggle-like linkage which is powered by a pneumatic motor. Such motors, which are shown in FIG. 8 at 377 and 379, are energized to press the glue applicator strongly against the flap when the flap has reached a position confronting them. The rear and forward ends of motors 377 and 379 are connected in parallel by pipes 380 and 390, respectively, which, in turn, are connected to the opposite end of a four-way solenoid valve 382 which is biased so that when de-energized it directs a fluid under pressure to the forward ends of motors 377 and 379, so as to pull the glue applicators away from the flaps. Valve 382 is under the control of a limit switch 434. Switch 434 functions to energize the coil of valve 382, thereby to direct fluid under pressure to the rear ends of cylinders 377 and 379 so as to press the glue applicators against the flap as the flap enters the glue applicator zone. After the container 10 has passed switch 434, the coil of valve 382 is de-energized, whereby to pull the glue applicators away from the flap as the flap leaves the glue applicator zone.

As the container 10 travels through the machine, a limit switch 431 is actuated thereby so as to permit air pressure to be applied to the glue tanks 372 and 374 to supply glue to the glue guns or applicators 235 and 234. Glue is actually applied to the inner side of the outer flaps of the container by pressing the glue guns against the flap. This glue gun or applicator-applying pressure is applied through air cylinders 377 and 379 and linkage which has been described above, the air cylinders being actuated through valve 382 in the reverse direction upon contact between a limit switch 434 and the container in the further forward travel of the latter. Both limit switches 431 and 434 are mounted along the central tongue or skid (FIG. 3). During all this operation the container is propelled by the chain lugs 137.

Although only one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention has been illustrated in the drawings and described in the foregoing specification, it is to be expressly understood that various changes, such as in the relative dimensions of the parts, the materials used and the like, may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will now be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for closing a carton, in combination, a generally horizontal conveyor along which the carton travels forwardly with a side flap extended to lie generally vertical, a generally vertically disposed glue applicator means disposed to lie tangent to the path of travel of the flap for coating a side of the flap with glue, means sup porting the glue applicator means and a work back-up means associated therewith for adjustment toward and away from the center line of the conveyor, said last named means comprising an elongated supporting member lying above and parallel to the conveyor, parallel vertical shafts journalled on one side of the conveyor, parallel crank arms extending inwardly from the respective shafts, and pivotal connections between the inner ends of the arms and the supporting member at locations spaced longitudinally of the latter; and work responsive means to laterally move said applicator means relative to said flap and said back-up means.

2. In an apparatus for closing a carton, in combination, a generally horizontal conveyor along which the carton travels forwardly with a side flap extended from the body of the carton, a glue applicator and a flap-backing guide roll disposed to lie tangent to the path of travel of the flap for coating a side of the flap with glue, means supporting the glue applicator and guide roll for adjustment toward and away from the path of travel of the flap, and means for selectively moving the glue applicator relatively away from the guide roll so that the flap may enter freely between the applicator and roll, and for moving the applicator and roll relatively toward each other so that both engage a flap travelling between them and the applicator coats the side of the flap confronting it.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the glue applicator is provided with flap-actuated means for controlling the dispensing of glue therefrom.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3, comprising control means actuated by the carton in its travel on the conveyor to subject the glue applicator to glue-dispensing pressure as the flap approaches the glue applicator, and to cut off such glue-dispensing pressure from the applicator as the flap leaves the glue applicator.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, said means for selectively moving the glue applicator comprising a shaft secured to the glue applicator supporting means, said shaft lying parallel to the path of travel of the flap, means to Which the applicator is secured journalled on the shaft for rotation thereabout so as to cause the applicator to approach or be retracted from the backing roll, and

controllable power means for selectively rotating the last named means in reverse directions.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the power means comprises a reciprocable motor drivingly connected to the journalled means to turn it in reverse directions about the shaft.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the power means comprises a reciprocable fluid actuated motor having a piston rod, a toggle having opposed links pivotally connected at their outer ends to the journalled means and to a further member fixedly connected to said shaft, respectively, the inner ends of the links being pivoaally connected together and to the outer free end of the piston rod.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,324,401 7/1943 Kimball 53-75 2,366,888 1/1945 Werden et al. 53-75 2,375,305 5/1945 Kimball et al 118-41'1 2,550,928 5/1951 Kay 53-75 2,613,631 10/1952 Anderson 118-6 2,796,847 6/ 1957 Guggenheim 118-411 2,805,533 9/1957 Holstebroe 53-387 2,859,727 11/1958 Phin et al. 118-3 2,896,569 7/1959 Ferguson et al 118-3 2,909,875 10/1959 Imbs 53-76 2,922,266 1/1960 Haffner 53-387 2,961,990 11/ 1960 Wruck 118-2 2,982,064 5/ 1961 Hohkinson 53-76 3,085,376 4/ 1963 Ferguson et a1. 53-75 MORRIS KAPLAN, Primary Examiner. 

2. IN AN APPARATUS FOR CLOSING A CARTON, IN COMBINATION, A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL CONVEYOR ALONG WHICH THE CARTON TRAVELS FORWARDLY WITH A SIDE FLAP EXTENDED FROM THE BODY OF THE CARTON, A GLUE APPLICATOR AND A FLAP-BACKING GUIDE ROLL DISPOSED TO LIE TANGENT TO THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF THE FLAP FOR COATING A SIDE OF THE FLAP WITH GLUE, MEANS SUPPORTING THE GLUE APPLICATOR AND GUIDE ROLL FOR ADJUSTMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF THE FLAP, AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY MOVING THE GLUE APPLICATOR RELATIVELY AWAY FROM THE GUIDE ROLL SO THAT THE FLAP MAY ENTER FREELY BETWEEN THE APPLICATOR AND ROLL, AND FOR MOVING THE APPLICATOR AND ROLL RELATIVELY TOWARD EACH OTHER SO THAT BOTH ENGAGE A FLAP TRAVELLING BETWEEN THEM AND THE APPLICATOR COATS THE SIDE OF THE FLAP CONFRONTING IT. 